From Noah Lyles to Gabby Thomas, Here Are the Top Track and Field Athletes Who Grabbed World Lead in 2024

The 2024 track and field season has ignited a flame of excitement for fans around the world, marking the beginning of the Olympic year with unparalleled style. Across all disciplines and distances of track and field, the track stars have shone brightly as they vie for a chance to shine at the Paris Olympics in 2024. As the new season continues to unfold, let us take a look at the top track and field athletes who kicked off and grabbed the world lead as they carve their way to Paris.

The track and field stars leading the season

Travis Miller, the NBC Sports Director of Social Media, took to X and shared the top track athletes who have kicked off the 2024 season in style in the “indoor races.” Among the women, sprint/hurdle indoor leaders were Julien Alfred, Devynne Charlton, Gabby Thomas, and Femke Bol.

And as these powerful women shattered the glass ceiling, the men, too, shone brightly, aiming for the stars. Among the men’s indoor sprint/hurdle leaders were Noah Lyles, Grant Holloway, Erriyon Knighton, Brian Faust, and Khaleb McRae.

As we reflect on these track stars’ blitzing speeds, let’s take a look at how they made a blazing impact by opening the 2024 track season.

How the 2024 Track and Field season kicked off

The iconic 2023 World Champion Noah Lyles led the pack of men with his blazing 60-meter sprint at a time of 6.44 seconds at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix on February 4, 2024. Following this, veteran Grant Holloway topped the men’s 60-meter hurdles at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston on February 4, 2024. Erriyon Knighton joined the icons as he impressed in the men’s 200m indoor event, clocking a remarkable time of 20.21 seconds during the Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais Trophée EDF 2024.

Next came Brian Faust, who achieved the world-leading time in the men’s 300m race with an impressive 32.36 seconds at the 2024 Clemson Invitational on January 13, 2024. And lastly, the list featured Khaleb McRae, who shone in the men’s 400m, recording a blazing time of 45.02 seconds at the New Mexico Collegiate Classic on February 3, 2024. Joining these remarkable men on the global stage, women athletes also left a mark on the 2024 season with an epic kickoff.

Julien Alfred of St. Lucia dominated the women’s 60m sprint, leading the field with a swift time of 6.99 seconds at the Millrose Games in New York on February 12, 2024. Next came Devynne Charlton from the Bahamas, who set the world-leading time in the women’s 60m hurdles, clocking an impressive 7.67 seconds at the 116th Millrose Games on February 11, 2024. Next on the list was the iconic Gabby Thomas, who made a triumphant comeback in the women’s 300m, achieving a world-leading time of 35.75 seconds at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in February 2024.

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Last but certainly not the least came Femke Bol from the Netherlands, who shone in the women’s 400m, setting a world-leading time of 49.63 seconds at the Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais event on February 10, 2024, solidifying her status as a top athlete. As these athletes set the standards high for the 2024 season, fans eagerly anticipate more thrilling performances as they continue to make 2024 an unforgettable year for track and field.

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